In this episode of UNAPOLOGETIC, political strategist and CEO and founder of the Cordoba Foundation,

Anas Altikriti speaks to us about the history of the Muslim Brotherhood and why Trump is looking to now proscribe the organisation in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan.

We examine how the Brotherhood evolved, why authoritarian governments frame it as a threat, and how Western policymakers adopted those narratives. Altikriti discusses Britain’s review of the organisation, the limits of proscription laws, and why banning political movements often strengthens regional dictatorships rather than weakening them.

The conversation also explores wider issues: political Islam, public misconceptions, the role of civil society, and how counter-extremism frameworks shape policy. A clear, structured look at an organisation widely debated but rarely understood.

Chapters:

00:00 Opening and introduction

07:40 What is the Muslim Brotherhood

15:20 Why regimes fear it

22:55 UK review and findings

31:10 Misconceptions about Islamism

39:05 Authoritarian influence abroad

47:00 Proscription laws explained

55:10 Counter-extremism as politics

1:03:00 Public narratives and bias

1:10:55 Civil society and power

1:18:20 Western policy contradictions

1:26:15 Future of the movement

1:34:30 Final reflections and outro